Bermuda will be strongly represented at the first ever London conference devoted to offshore business.

Bermuda International Business Association executive director Wendy Davis Johnson said yesterday that Shorex, a three day conference and exhibition, starts on Tuesday at London's Business Design Centre.

BIBA, the London office of Bermuda's Department of Tourism and the Bermuda Stock Exchange are promoting Bermuda as a "world leader in international business'' and has secured prominent floor space for its exhibition booth.

The Bermuda booth will promote the Island as an international business and leisure destination as well as show the Bermuda-inc. web site live and on-line, Mrs. Davis Johnson said.

Tourism Assistant Director, marketing, Pat Phillip-Bassett, said the department's "collaboration at Shorex was part of a tactical plan between tourism and international business which has identified joint marketing initiatives between the two industries''.

The corporate audience attending Shorex "is also the target for our marketing programme in the UK'', she said.

Moves to promote the Island at Shorex include: BIBA and the Bermuda Society will host a cocktail party on Tuesday at the Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly. The Bermuda contingent will be led by Premier David Saul; On Wednesday, the Bermuda International Shipping Organisation will host a cocktail reception. The organisation is currently preparing for its next conference to be held in October (Story: Page 15 ; and Sixty targeted professionals, from funds and securities analysts to mutual funds professionals, will attend a breakfast briefing on Thursday given by BSX CEO William Woods and opened by Dr. Saul.

SHOREX BOUND -- From left, BIBA project manager Crystal Galloway, Bermuda International Shipping Association director John Sharpe, BIBA executive director Wendy Davis Johnson and Department of Tourism assistant director Pat Phillip-Bassett will be in London next week for Shorex.

BUSINESS BUC